54 Nebraskaland • May 2019
Explore Archery is a program for kids ages 8 and up who
are interested in learning archery basics. Classes are offered
through the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln.
The next 8-week session begins April 4.
"The special thing about this program is that it is designed
to focus on the fundamentals rather than the target score,"
said Facility Manager Heather Weihe. "We do candy shoots,
treasure shoots, mystery shoots, and other games to focus on
developing proper fundamentals."
This March, I visited an Explore Archery class and
participated as an adult new to the sport. There were also
five kids in this class, spanning ages 8 to 12.
The class began with safety rules, including whistle signals
for the range, and basic instructions on stance and shooting
technique. Then we each received a bow and three arrows, and
I was silently relieved to see several parents step forward to
pick up bows of their own. Suddenly I didn't feel quite so alone.
It's a humbling experience to learn a new skill as an adult
amidst a group of children. After my first arrow fell short of
the target, I found myself watching the 8-year-old boy next
to me to learn from what he was doing. The instructor made
corrections to my stance and had to remind me more than
once to draw the bowstring all the way back to the corner
of my mouth. With his help, after that first failed arrow, I
managed to at least hit the target every time – though the kid
next to me still had better aim.
If you can't make it to this session, watch for others
beginning this July and January 2020. Sign up through
apm.activecommunities.com/ngpc.
EXPLORE ARCHERY
By Katie Larsen
MIXED BAG
PHOTOS
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
